Day 8 – Szentendre to Budapest

Robin and Helen Berry on the Thorn Tandem they rode from Dorset and carried on down

Well we have 24K left to Budapest how hard can it be? Well it’s Hungary so it could be very hard indeed. We are leaving ourselves plenty of time to do it in!

That evening we thought we saw a Thorn Tandem swishing passed last night in the campsite but our searches revealed nothing, however this. Morning we found the Tandem and it’s owners. Replete with Rohloff gear box and rear disc brake there she was with her proud owners Helen and Robin.

Now these people are really cool having just retired they have been on the road for 12 weeks on their “Retirement trip” from StMalo to Frieberg then picking up The Eurovelo6 to just outside Budapest where we met them.

Our new heros Helen and Robin who rode to Budapest on a tandem to celebrate retirement – and carried on

Their aim being to follow it down the Black Sea however they were getting a little attack of cold feet worrying about accommodation in Serbia and the failing light. Helen (a non cyclist) also has been having a terrible time with mosquitoes involving a trip to hospital.

We will try to keep in touch to find out what they choose to do.

STOP PRESS:

Helen and Robin carried on the Serbia! Chapeau

Pest 900m – Well sign posted Cycle Danube Eurovelo6

After a quick breakfast we picked up The Eurovelo6 route and made our way to Budapest it wasn’t long before we were on a path that was off road which looked like somebody had emptied barrows of sharp hardcore over it occasionally fly tipping as well truly awful.

Our first view of Budapest on The Eurovelo6 Danube cycling

Much of this we were forced to walk as it was un rideable, we could not make our way to the road as in a lot of places in Hungary cyclists are banned along with horse and carts. Hungarian roads lack investment so what they do is make some of the minor roads cars only and make

Paul webb opposite the Parliament in Budapest cycle Danube Eurovelo6

the speed limit 80MPH yet have no central reservation or hard shoulder there are. O small accidents in Hungary.

Eventually we were kicked out onto the Danube where there were lots of eateries and drinkeries as this is where the Hungarians come to play.

By now we were on the edge of Budapest and it was chaos once we had found the cycle paths into the city the cycle paths were very good indeed.

So we have arrived in Budapest with enough time to have a good look around, a Fantastic trip with really nice cycle paths all the way until you reach Hungary, it’s like it’s run out of legs, funds and enthusiasm and I guess it only gets worse from here until Romania but an adventure it would be to find out.

What of Hungary? It’s a fantastic place and has a real different vibe to it,

The people are super friendly and the prices reasonable I love to visit new places like this and was chuffed to be here as was Wendy Burger.

Hungarys voyage to Europe has been a rocky one and it’s still playing catch up as far as roads are concerned here the car is still king for sure and the roads not ready for them.

As far as the Eurovelo6 route through Hungary I would say the majority of it is not worth following it might be better to find a more northerly or southerly route in with a few more miles than take the off road sections offered.

I am going to do some research to see what other people have done and also try tobontacy the admin to get any thoughts on the routes.

Its been a Fantastic journey I have really enjoyed riding this with Wendy who certainly was not an Anchor to me but was definitely Ying to my yang when required.